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10 Things You Need To Know About Pope Francis’ Africa Visit

10 Things You Need To Know About Pope Francis’ Africa Visit

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It’s now official that the Catholic head is set to visit three African cities this November following an invitation by the heads of state and the Catholic Bishops. This will be the pope’s first visit to Africa since his inauguration three years ago.

Though the details of the trip are yet to be announced, the papal visit is set to be between Nov. 25-30. He will be visiting three African countries including Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic. The papal visit comes at a time when the continent is facing insecurity, Muslim extremism and widespread human rights abuses.

Here are 12 thing you should know about the Pope Francis Africa visit.

Sources: aleteia, globalnation

abc.es
abc.es

He announced his Africa visit on in-flight press briefing

He announced his intentions to visit Africa in January during an in-flight press briefing while returning to Rome from Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Pope Francis
paulinesafrica.org

It will be Pope Francis first visit to Africa

The pope’s visit in November for a six day visit that will take him to three countries will be his first to the continent. Pope Francis has made poverty and the inequality the major themes of his pontificate.

A Christian man chases a suspected Seleka officer in civilian clothes with a knife near the airport in Bangui, Central African Republic. (CBCNews)
A Christian man chases a suspected Seleka officer in civilian clothes with a knife near the airport in Bangui, Central African Republic.
(CBCNews)

The visit is in relation to the political situation in CAR

The pope’s visit to Central African Republic comes at a time when the Central African Republic is suffered serious unrest and violence. The country has witnessed violence since the mostly Muslim Seleka rebel toppled the president in 2013.

everything254.tumblr.com
everything254.tumblr.com

There has not been any formal announcement about pope’s visit to Kenya

During the announcement, addressing thousands of priests’ gathered at Saint John Lateran Basilica the pope’s only confirmed his visit to Uganda and Central African Republic. A Kenya remains only has a possibility.

Thinkstock
Thinkstock

The trip will bring the pope face-to-face with Islamic extremism

The papal visit is set to bring him face to face with Islamic extremism and Christian-Muslim violence on the continent. Kenya is currently facing threat of attacks from Al-shaab Islamic militants. This has been absent in other papal visits to Africa.

cubackpack.org
cubackpack.org

He is set to visit the Martyrs of Uganda

Francis will certainly refer to the Martyrs of Uganda . The Namugongo visit will be in effort to pay tribute to the 45 Anglicans and Catholics killed during the persecution of Christians.

thisisafrica.me
thisisafrica.me

Shows Pope’s inclination towards developing countries

The papal visit shows his concern for the African continent which has the largest number of developing nations. Most of these countries are struggling with high levels of  poverty and corruption.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 20: Pope Francis greets the faithful as he holds Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square on April 20, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis is attending the Holy Week for his second time as a Pontiff. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
Pope Francis greets the faithful as he holds Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square on April 20, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

The Pope would have been to almost all continent of the world after his Africa trip

With this trip to Africa Pope Francis would have visited all continents except Oceania in the first 3 years of his pontificate. He joins among other popes who have visited the continent such as John Paul II and Benedict XVI’s.

monitor.co.ug
monitor.co.ug

Uganda will become the first African country to host three different Popes

Pope Francis visit to Uganda this year will set a record for the east African nation as the first country on the continent to host three different reigning Popes. Uganda was visited by pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II before.

Pope Francis meets African migrants in Lampedusa (image: irokoheritage.com)
Pope Francis meets African migrants in Lampedusa (image: irokoheritage.com)

He will address the issue of illegal immigration

The pope has stressed the need to solve social and developmental problems in developing nations. According to him this is key to reducing the number of immigrants travelling to Europe and other developed nations in search of a better life.